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Networks & Networking

EU Organisations

European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA)

Introduction

CEJA is the voice of Europe’s next generation of farmers to the European institutions. Its main objective is to promote an EU regulatory framework supporting the renewal of generation in the agricultural sector in Europe. 2009, only 6% of farmers in Europe were under the age of 35 years old and a third over the age of 65. Renewal of generation in the sector is the key mission of CEJA. In Addition, CEJA aims at being a platform for exchange amongst national associations of young farmers across the European Union to promote know how and skills in the sector.

Structure, key stakeholders and partners

CEJA represents 28 member organizations and 1 observer member from across the EU -. CEJA also has strong links with different international youth organizations. At the international level, the organisation will work closely with the new World Farmers Organisation, the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization and Rural Youth Europe.

CEJA is an international organization governed by a General Assembly, a Presidium and a Presidency.

Priorities and activities

Since its creation in 1958, CEJA has co-ordinated hundreds of seminars, visits, conferences, written reports and directed the concerns of young farmers towards the European institutions.

CEJA acts as a forum for exchange and dialogue between young farmers and European decision makers. CEJA’s main objectives are to ease the installation of young farmers in Europe, to inform, train and represent them, to act as a platform for communication between young farmers and to make European citizens aware of farming-related issues. One of CEJA’s most important tasks is to explain the Common Agricultural Policy, its reforms and adjustments, and to show how the two pillars of the CAP assist young farmers in rural areas to manage the structural changes in Europe’s agricultural sector.

CEJA maintains contact with European institutions, European decision-makers as well as organisations dealing with agriculture and takes part in 18 Agricultural Advisory Groups of the European Commission.

CEJA is involved in several pan-European projects that focus on young farmers. For example the two main projects over the last years were called ‘Climate Farmers’ and ‘Multifunctionality’. ‘Climate farmers’ project involves collecting best practice examples with the view to find practical ways to reduce GHG emissions on farms held by young farmers. Agri-Multifunctionality II involves collecting information on young farmers who are diversifying activities on their farms.

Further information